But it seemed like he didn't have to wonder for long, as Auren soon let out a chuckle.
"I took into account your recklessness and, especially, those abilities of yours. I stuck around long enough to see you jump from shadow to shadow, so thinking that you were going to pull something like this was definitely not foolish of me," he remarked, turning to Sylis.
"But unfortunately for you, we had planned on teaming up even before this exam had begun."
Sylis nodded with a knowing smile.
"I saw you stealing the rings of the Queens in my dream. I also saw you run away alongside that blue butterfly, but sadly for you, you're surrounded," Sylis said, and in the next moment, the soldiers brought their shields forward, directing the overhead sunlight straight at Raelis.
It not only blinded him but also made it impossible for him to cast a shadow anywhere.
And Clea wasn't spared either, as arrows, spears, and all sorts of other projectiles filled the sky, leaving her no choice but to make her way down beside Raelis.
She transformed back into her human form and leaned against his back, just like in the previous exam.
"Deja vu," Raelis commented with a chuckle. "It's just like last time, only now we're not allowed to kill them, and we're outnumbered by people who actually know what they're doing."
"Mm... be that as it may, all formations have a weakness," Clea said matter-of-factly. "If a formation was perfect, then we would've not lost countless wars against the demonic forces."
Raelis sighed. "True."
The demonic forces consisted of demons and all sorts of other creatures that didn't belong to this world.
Ever since the first emperor had died, those demonic forces expanded drastically, covering 30% of the entire world in their filth.
And yet, despite that threat looming in the shadows, Varekan and the other royal families chose to fight against one another.
It was foolish.
"Anyhow... since their formation clearly has a weakness, should we exploit it?" Raelis asked with a slight smirk.
Clea didn't answer as she shot forward like a bullet, her hand extended and her nails sharpened to perfection as she slashed at one of the soldiers in particular.
They were scrawny and weak, not even being able to hold their shield properly.
Guess his strategy of employing just anyone backfired.
Clea had broken through their defensive formation, but it was only the start of it.
All sorts of magic spells came flying at her, trying to injure her, yet they proved ineffective as she swiped them away and arrived right before Auren.
She swung her sharp nails down, trying to cut him.
But that was when cyan flames burst out from Sylis, freezing her in place.
Raelis's eyes widened.
Frostflame? That's also a special flame. How did he get his hands on it?
He didn't wonder for long as he used Basic Flame Step and knocked into the soldiers.
Because of the momentum, they were sent flying off in the distance, which only left Raelis with a minor shoulder dislocation.
Yet with a single snap, it popped back into place.
But that was not all, as he was met with a stab straight through his abdomen a moment after.
Turning around, Raelis saw one of the soldiers staring at him with a grin, gripping their spear tightly.
However, Raelis simply flicked his fingers and shot out a golden-white flame toward the man, melting his armor in an instant, then the spear.
Raelis's wound slowly began to close, and while it did, he took a deep, slightly painful breath and glanced toward the amused Auren.
But before Auren could even open his mouth, Raelis enveloped Clea in his flame, freeing her from the frost.
She had a slight frown on her face as she dashed forward and slashed at Auren.
He dodged, weaved, and finally, he extended his hand, trying to strike her straight in the neck.
But almost like that was exactly what she had been waiting for, Clea sped up, cutting Auren's hand clean off.
Or so she thought. However, no blood spilled. Instead, his arm turned partially to flame as he clicked his tongue.
"Truly a pity. You're powerful, and I would've wished you were on my team. But oh well, maybe next year."
With those words, he shot out a crimson flame straight at her.
It was one of the basic flames known for its destruction, so Raelis decided to step in.
He Flame Stepped in front of the flame and used his Heat Barrier to block it completely.
At the same time, he shot out a fireball of his own which, due to the awkward positioning, managed to hit Auren's foot.
And to no one's surprise, Auren's foot melted in an instant.
Yet he didn't scream. His expression hadn't changed in the slightest, either.
However...
"I'm afraid we've played enough games," Auren muttered as he activated the Flame Body, covering himself in crimson flames.
Raelis didn't panic as he swung his arm down, unleashing all the fireballs he had secretly been gathering in the sky down at Sylis and Auren.
Sylis dodged effortlessly while also shooting several fireballs of his own toward Raelis.
Then, to Raelis's surprise, he felt his blood start to boil, leaving him with no choice but to activate his Flame Body.
The moment he did, Auren appeared in front of him, striking him clean in the chin and sending him hurtling through the nearby castle walls.
Raelis stood up with a grumble and realized one peculiarity.
This is... why is it so empty? Raelis looked around the castle grounds.
There was not even a single person there, only training dummies scattered around, wearing armor.
Nevertheless, he swiftly Flame Stepped back toward Auren and engaged in a fistfight.
With each hit Auren landed, Raelis managed to get two in, so in the long run, Raelis would be the winner.
However, that small flicker of hope shattered when Auren began using some of the Varekan flame bloodline techniques.
They were subtle, but at the same time, they were deadly.
Raelis managed to dodge a few flame lashes, some flame thrusts, and as it turned out, he had made his way back to where he started, right beside Clea.
Of course, he didn't hesitate as he took this chance to grab Clea's hand and toss her ahead, causing her to arrive in front of Sylis within the blink of an eye.
There was one thing about Sylis that stood out the most, and it was also something he had tried hiding with all of his power.
His cowardice.
Under the emperor's expectations and disappointment, Sylis had become too self-conscious, focusing much on his knowledge and very little on his actual combat.
So when Clea finally arrived in front of him, he froze.
She used that tiny gap in his reaction to swipe the ring off his finger and dash back toward Raelis.
It all seemed to happen so fast, and it was clear that Sylis had seen this coming.
So why...? Why did he come up so close?
"What are you doing?" Auren asked coldly, grabbing Sylis by the collar. "Go get your ring back before the overseers eliminate your team. Also, don't forget Zeri. She'd give you a mouthful."
A faint smile appeared on Sylis's face. "I've accomplished my role in all of this. You see... I saw beyond this moment, and despite our careful preparations, we would've lost anyway. Then the two of us would both be eliminated, while Yellow and Blue Team would go on and join the academy."
He let out a chuckle, his gaze softening. "Which is why I want you to keep your word about the childhood promise you made to me... When you graduate, will you accept me as your right hand?"
Auren's brows furrowed as he pushed Sylis aside with trembling hands. "You're being foolish. Why? Why do all this? Why did you not bring this up to me before it happened?"
Sylis smirked. "Because we never stood a chance in the first place. They are relentless, and injuries matter little to them. In my dream, you had chopped off Raelis's arm, yet he remained standing and clawed out your eyes with his bare hands... I didn't want to risk it. Not when this is only a small step to your future."
He shot Raelis a small glance. "But it's alright. My soldiers should have arrived at your castle by now. And if all went well, then..."
[Congratulations, the final exam has finally ended!] the headmaster, Arius's voice boomed out inside Raelis's mind. [Yellow Team and Green Team were the two remaining teams. In total, 170 candidates passed the final exam.]
170...? Raelis tilted his head. That doesn't add up—
[Now you might be thinking that doesn't add up, and you're right,] Arius chuckled. [But that is where the Jesters come around. Their win condition was to gather the flags of all the teams. When they do, they can stop the exam preemptively and choose 10 people from each team to save, while the rest would be eliminated.]
All of a sudden, the sky split apart as the headmaster emerged, floating down toward them.
"Alas, that is only for extra points. In the end, they had a free immunity to join whichever team they'd wished. The only downside was the fact that they'd lose marks on their final grade, but that is about it."
Raelis's brows furrowed as he raised a single hand, then spoke.
"Zeri Varekan was knocked out. How was she able to change teams?"
"Hmm...? Oh, her," Arius grumbled as a faint smile appeared on his face. "A certain mimic going by the name of Ajax helped her join your team. So from now on, you'll be having a very fun time at the academy."
He turned to Sylis and the rest of his team.
"Just like Blue Team, you have unfortunately been eliminated. But keep your chins up. You've made it this far, so next year, you'll be able to make it in. I believe in you," Arius reassured, giving them a thumbs up.
In the next instant, they were teleported out.
And with that...
"Late as it is, congratulations," Arius said warmly. "You're now officially students of the Furnace Academy."
Cheers broke out immediately, with all the students jumping up and down in excitement.
The headmaster glanced over them all, his smile lingering.
"So why don't we take a little tour of the dormitory to get you all settled in?"